Hearing To Establish Why Teenager Died

An inquest into the death of a Leeds teenager known to mental health services is due to take place.

Talented student Afrika Yearwood was in the process of completing her A-levels when she passed away aged 18 in Leeds General Infirmary towards the end of May 2018. Four days earlier she had been found injured at the family home.

Afrika had been seeing a private therapist since December 2017. She had her first contact with mental health services in the city in March 2018, one week before her 18th birthday.

Following her death Afrika’s mum Beverley, instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the care her daughter received and support her through the inquest process.

A two-day hearing is now due to take place at Wakefield Coroner’s Court, starting tomorrow.

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“While it may be a year since Afrika’s death, Beverley and the rest of the family remain devastated.

“While the NHS carried out an investigation following Afrika’s death the inquest is now the next step in the process of thoroughly examining what happened and establishing why she died.

“We hope that the inquest will be able to provide answers for Afrika’s family.” Lauren Bullock - Solicitor

Beverley added: “While time has moved on since Afrika’s death our family hasn’t. Every day is still a struggle knowing my intelligent and beautiful daughter, who had her whole life ahead of her, is no longer with us.

“While I know that the inquest and listening to the evidence as to why she died is going to be extremely traumatic, I am determined to honour Afrika’s memory by getting the answers to the many questions we have.”

Since Afrika’s death, her friends and family have raised a total of £14,100 with the support of businesses and the local community for The Rothwell Cluster in her memory.

The Rothwell Cluster is a group of schools in the South Leeds area which offers an emotional and wellbeing counselling service for young people. The funds raised will reduce current waiting times and allow the Cluster to help an addition 25 young people access the counselling support they need.

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